Metal toy.



J. W. MEYER.

METAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1915.

1,205,101 Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

METAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

Application filed July 3, 1915. Serial No. 37,921.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN W. MEYER, a citizenof the United States, residing at Wilmette, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in MetalToys, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming apart of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in metal toys and has for itsobject the ,production of a toy comprising a plurality of memberscapable of being assembled or put together so as to form a great varietyof miniature structures such as machines, tools, implements and thelike.

A further object of my invention is the production of a device in whichthe metallic holding members are adapted to automatically grip theconnecting members holding the parts firmly together.

A further object is the production of a device in which the separateparts of the holding members are yieldingly held together.

A further object is the production of a device that can be readilycleaned and kept in sanitary condition.

A further object is the production of a device the members of which areof simple construction and can be cheaply manufactured, and not liableto disarrangement.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained bymy device, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of one form ofthe holding member; Fig. 2 repre sents an end elevation of Fig. 1; Fig.3 represents a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in thedirection indicated by the arrow; Fig. 4 represents a slightly modifiedform of my device bent to form a right angle; Fig. 5 represents aflattened view of the metal before bending it to form the member shownin Fig. 4:; Fig. 6 represents an elevation of another member in the formof a half-circle; Fig. 7 represents a top plan view of Fig. 6; Fig. 8represents a modified form of Fig. 6 bent to form right angles; Fig. 9represents a structure formed from various members heretoforeillustrated.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figuresofthe drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, the holdmg member 11 shown in Fig. 1 isformed from a pair of circular metal plates 12, 12,

preferably pressed into the shape shown and formedwith semicylindricalraised portions 13, 13, and a centrally raised boss 14. The

portions 15 of the plates between the embossed portions 13 are flat sothat when the two members 12, 12" are fitted together, the portions 15of each plate abut and the two embossed portions 13 form grippingsockets 16 extending radially from the center member. I may, if desired,have. the outer end of the embossed portion flared slightly as shown at17 in Fig. 1.

Fitting within the plate and between the sockets 13 are a series ofeyelets or gromets 18, and a central opening 19 is also provided. Aplurality of smooth rods or sticks 20 are furnished adapted to fitwithin the sockets 16 and gromets 18 and be gripped thereby and heldsecurely in place. The provision of the'flaring end serves to preventthe rod from being split or slivered when being put into place withinthe socket.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a slightly modified form of Fig. 1 with a largecentral opening 21. This permits the folding of the member 15 to anangle of 90 degrees when it will assume the position shown in Fig. 4,and designated by the numeral 22.

Another form of holding member is shown at 23 in Fig. 6 in the shape ofa single piece folded into a half-circle with sockets 24 and 25 at rightangles to each other, and also provided with a pair of gromets. bysimply notching the metal can be folded into a right angle as shown at26 in Fig. 8.

It will be readily appreciated that different members may be quicklyassembled in a great variety of forms, and thus afiord continuousamusement and entertainment for both old and young, and it may be asource of continued pleasure to invalids and shut-ins. The platesforming the holding members are rigidly yet resiliently held together,and the plurality of gromets or eyelets preferably formed integral fromthe metal itself, gives the metal sockets the proper degree ofresiliency and still affords a firm grip on the connecting rods. Ipreferably make the parts of japanned or painted metal so they can bewashed frequently and kept in a sanitary condition, a very essentialfeature when it is understood that the parts will be The member shown inFig. 6

handled a great deal and by a number of people. The metal about themouth or open end of the socket is slightly flared so as to avoid alldanger of splitting the rods when using the toy. This latter feature isof course not an essential one, but yet one that gives longer life tothe toy.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters latent is:

l. A toy comprising a plurality of metal shapes fitted together andhaving a plurality of resilient sockets, a plurality of grometspositioned between said sockets and a plurality of rods formed to fitwithin said sockets and gromets.

2. A top comprising metal shapes formed from a pair of platessubstantially circular in form and having a central opening, said platesbeing shaped to form a plurality of substantially radially extendingsockets opening into the outer periphery of said shape and having aplurality of gromets positioned between said sockets thus forming aplurality of openings at right angles to the open ends of said sockets,and a plurality of rods formed to fit within said sockets and grometsand connecting said shapes into any desired form.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN W. MEYER.

